Extensive Research Description

Description: This is a prospective pilot study looking at provoked deep vein thrombosis resulting from trauma, surgery, and short-term immobilization. Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis is typically treated for 3 months with anticoagulation. This trial attempts to treat patients with DVT due to a reversible factor for one month instead of 3 months. The study is enrolling patients currently.

Description: Periodically, the American college of chest physicians (ACCP) publishes guidelines for treatment of deep vein thrombosis. In real practice, the guidelines are not always strictly followed and treatment may vary depending on the hospital and the provider. This study aims at looking at the modalities of treatment of DVT at Yale New Haven Hospital and assess for the implementation of ACCP guidelines among different providers.

Project 3:

Title: Retrieval of IVC filters: the patients’ perspective

Description: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are placed in a select patient population who develop deep vein thrombosis and have contraindication for anticoagulation to prevent development of pulmonary embolism. Most IVC filters are retrievable and should be removed after the risk period resolves because they can cause long-term complications (thrombosis, perforation, migration) when left for a prolonged period of time. This project aims at conducting a questionnaire with the patients that were lost to follow up and did not have retrieval of the IVC filter. The goal is to assess possible reasons for loss of follow up and find ways to improve compliance with the FDA recommendations to retrieve the IVC filter when risk of pulmonary embolism resolves. This study is enrolling patients.

Project 4:

Title: Endovascular IVC filter retriever

Description: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are placed in a select patient population who develop deep vein thrombosis and have contraindication for anticoagulation to prevent development of pulmonary embolism. Despite the FDA recommendation to retrieve the IVC filters after the period of risk is resolved, a significant proportion of patients fail to follow up. They frequently present with late complications (thrombosis, perforation migration). Delayed retrieval is very challenging because of tilting or scarring of the struts of the device in the wall of the IVC. There are no devices on the market that are dedicated for that task. In collaboration with Yale school of engineering, design of a new retrieving tool is being developed. The medical student will help with the initial in vitro / animal trialing of the device.

Description: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are placed in a select patient population who develop deep vein thrombosis and have contraindication for anticoagulation to prevent development of pulmonary embolism. The FDA recommends retrieval of the IVC filter from patients deemed not at risk for pulmonary embolism any more. However, there is no consensus in the community of vascular specialist on when is the best time to retrieve IVC filters and how aggressive to be in removing them when they are “stuck” and not retrieved easily. This project will administer a survey to vascular specialists about their practice pattern with respect to retrieval of IVC filters.

Description: Thrombosis of a lower extremity bypass remains a major challenge for vascular surgeons and a reason for limb loss. Most of bypass thrombosis are treated with catheter directed thrombolysis (administration of alteplase into the thrombus using an infusion catheter). The incidence of embolization (dislodgement of thrombus to block more distal arteries) during thrombolytic therapy and its effect on overall outcomes have not been studies in the literature. This study aims at finding the incidence of distal embolization and its impact on bypass patency and limb loss. Also, evaluate the effectiveness of repeat catheter directed thrombolysis and its long-term outcomes. This project is best for medical students who had some exposure to vascular surgery and have interest in the specialty. (Third and fourth years)

Project 7:

Title: May Thurner syndrome – review of the world’s Literature

Description: May Thurner syndrome is a relatively rare entity where the right iliac artery compresses the left iliac vein at the bifurcation of the Aorta and Inferior vena cava. That can lead to stenosis of the iliac vein, swelling of the left leg and sometimes deep vein thrombosis. The literature has mostly case reports describing this entity and different modalities of treatment. The project involves review of the cases available in the literature and summary of patient demographics, presentation and treatment.

Project 8:

Title: Smoking cessation in vascular patients

Description: Smoking is very prevalent in patients with vascular disease. Patients get advised about smoking cessation all the time. This study is a randomized study to look at whether referring the vascular patients to a smoking cessation clinic would improve the smoking cessation rate compared to just regular reminders and advice during vascular surgery follow up visits. There will be also a survey of the patients to assess for factors associated with success and failure in smoking cessation.

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